Green Shield Competition preview: Guide to all clubs and players

The world’s greatest u16 cricket competition kicks off with 300 players from across NSW. Meet our future test greats and BBL stars with our mega-guide to the Green Shield.

The Green Sheild competition produces the greats of tomorrow

Meet generation next – the 300 top young cricketers across NSW ready to showcase their talent in what is widely regarded as the best junior club competition in the world, the A W Green Shield.

The elite under-16 junior competition has seen players such as Australian Test cricket stars Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, David Warner and Pat Cummins emerge through the ranks.

The five-week competition — starting this Thursday — includes seven preliminary rounds, followed by quarterfinals, semi finals and a grand final, featuring all 20 of Sydney’s grade cricket clubs.

Meet the young cricketers ready for action.

Bankstown District Cricket Club

Home Ground: Kelso Park North, Panania

Last season finish: 5th place (semi final defeat)

Squad: Manoj Weerasingham, Rohin Patel, Lachlan Malcolm, Arnav Raina, Ilyaan Raza, Bailey Penna, Harjapan Singh, Roshan Bhat, Minol Jayawardana, Jordan King, Ronit Kulkarni

Charlie Fitzjohn, Jake Smith, Daniel Louka. Development Players: Maximilian Condon, Muhammad Talha, Jake Myers.

Blacktown District Cricket Club

Home ground: Joe McAleer Reserve, Glendenning

Strengths: Under the guidance of former first-class cricketer Matt Day, a core squad has been developed with players who are familiar with the Sydney grade cricket scene.

Player to watch: A powerful opening batsman Harjun Singh* has been piling on the runs in the Sydney grade cricket competition in recent weeks, and after a strong 2019/20 Green Shield campaign he is tipped to lead the charge for Blacktown.

Key to success: Executing the ‘one-percenters’ and having a strong contribution by all members of the team, rather than leaving the result to individual brilliance.

Last season finish: 6th place (quarterfinal draw)

Campbelltown-Camden District Cricket Club

Home ground: Raby Oval 1, Raby

Strengths: The squad of players, drawn exclusively from the Campbelltown and Camden areas outside of two country NSW players, has been described as being “all-rounders” boasting talent in all areas of the game.

Players to watch: Returning for his fourth year of Green Shield cricket, the youngest ever grade cricketer in Ghosts history 16-year-old all-rounder Akshat Mishra* is one of the team’s major threats.

Key to success: A level of consistency on and off the field.

Last season finish: 7th place (quarterfinal defeat)

Squad: Akshat Mishra (c), Callum Cox, Aaryan Dixit, Angus Campbell, Ben Livingstone, Riley Kingsell, Andrew Salian, Isaac Gasson, Shubh Katter, Ankit Sapkota, Tanmay Mehta, Luke Meek, Ben Smith, Lachlan Campbell

Eastern Suburbs Cricket Club

Hamish Morrison is tipped for a big year for the Dolphins.

Home ground: Waverley Oval, Bondi Junction

Strengths: A pillar of the defending Green Shield champions success was energy in the field, enhanced by the team’s close bond. The buzz on the oval can put the batsmen under pressure and create wickets.

Player to watch: An exciting up and coming top order batsman Hamish Morrison played a key role in the championship season, often navigating the team through tough situations. Expect a big year with the bat for Morrison in his second year of the competition and don’t be surprised if he tops the run scoring charts.

Key to success: A focus on executing the basics well by applying themselves in the field, batting and bowling with a purpose and sticking to the plan.

Last season finish: 1st (champions)

Squad: Matt Sidhu (c), Jonah Trope, Hamish Morrison, Mathew Hield, Albert Giles, Ollie Patterson, Sam Konstas, Johnny Konstas, Gabriel Quoyle, Tom Marchant (wk), Ansh Tiwary. Dylan Melvey. Bo Baffsky. Hasan Hemel, Lewis Keenan.

Fairfield-Liverpool Cricket Club

Home ground: Rosedale Oval, Warwick Farm

Last season finish: 17th place

Squad: Cameron Frendo, Yuva Nishchay, Will McNamara, Tanush Vir Singh, Jehan Polwaththe, Connor McEwen, Shiven Thakker, Mahir Vaya, Minesh Thangiah, Sanil Menghar, Sukhwant Sabharwal, Rushi Pipalia, Himantha Walawage, Abhay Bhatt, Abhinav Kamsali.

Gordon District Cricket Club

Members of the Gordon District Cricket Club 2020/21 Green Shield under-16 squad.

Home ground: Killara Park, Killara

Strengths: A balanced squad with a strong returning contingent of seven experienced Green Shield campaigners.

Players to watch: The fast bowling options in Luke Callanan and North Coast country player Bryce Cook.

Key to success: Top order batsman Trystan Kennedy (c) and Daimon Pin (vc) each coming into their third respective Green Shield season will play pivotal roles with their valuable experience to help guide the team to success.

Last season finish: 9th place

Squad: Trystan Kennedy (c), Daimon Pin (vc), Joel Austin, Manas Bansal, Felix Booth, Luke Callanan, Cameron Claridge, Bryce Cook, Ben Hocking, Aayush Madan, Ilan Murugappam, Dylan Ranjan, Sidhant Singh, William Sutton, Zack Winslow.

Coaches: Nick Miller and Matt Wright.

Hawkesbury Grade Cricket Club

Home ground: Owen Earle Oval, Richmond

Strengths: Proven Green Shield players and Cricket NSW Academy players wicketkeeper and top-order batsman Ryan Hicks (captain) and all-rounder Kyle Wheeler will be leading figures in the 2020/21 campaign.

Player to watch: Young leg spinner Aarush Soni has been selected in the squad with an eye to the future, with Soni known for his amazing control. He is unquestionably a star of the future.

Key to success: A strong focus on fielding in the months leading into the season could play dividends for the young cricketers.

Last season finish: 14th place

Squad: Jai Bedi, Tyson Deebank, Dave Dubey, Lachlan Grace, Brock Hawley, Ryan Hicks (c), Patrick Horne, Hugh Sienkiewicz, Charlie Kwok, Fred Peters, Gurpartaap Singh, Aarush Soni, Tanay Tripathi, Josh Vicary, Kyle Wheeler

Manly Warringah District Cricket Club

Home ground: Manly Oval, Manly

Strengths: The club’s community-based focus has seen a strong development program built across the past decade delivering promising cricket talent from Sydney’s northern beaches, as well as a late selection process sees the squad picked on current form.

Players to watch: Returning players Josh Cooper (c), Andrew Boulton (vc) and Roop Dhillon will look to lead the team by example.

Key to success: Being a united front as they take on all challengers.

Last season finish: 4th place (quarterfinal defeat)

Squad: Josh Cooper (c), Andrew Boulton (vc), Ethan Buchanan, Marcus Campbell, Roop Dhillon, Mitch Gilligan, Charlie Johnston, Tom Karnaghan (wk), Bailey Lidgard, Josh Lawson, Angus McConnell, Keelan Mendel, Sentauro Murata-Davison, Billy Obrien (wk), Liam Toole

Mosman Cricket Club

Home ground: Allan Border Oval, Mosman

Strengths: A deep batting line-up with all players possessing the ability to accelerate scoring and post big totals coupled with a formidable pace bowling attack with four players standing above 188cm.

Players to watch: Lachie Bill, one of the strongest hitters in the competition returning for his third Green Shield campaign who has proven his capability to clear the scoreboard at Allan Border Oval alongside fast bowler Lachy Hunt can move the ball both ways at speed.

Key to success: The squad’s level of preparation and ability to swiftly bond into a team unit holds them in good stead.

Last season finish: 12th place

Squad: Will Elliott (c), Lachie Bill (vc), Charlie Smith, Lachy Hunt, Henry Oxenham, Cooper Johnston, Henry Sekzenian, Harrison O’Brien, Chris Roussos (wk), Elliott Evans, Sam Scott, Will Nutt, Will Adlam, Kel Wilson, Alex Lee-Young (wk).

Coach: Ash Doolan

UTS North Sydney Cricket Club

Home ground: Tunks Park, Cammeray

Strengths: The depth of talent in the outfit has improved for the 2020/21 campaign, with four capable spinning all-rounders and an impressive fast bowling attack will provide the team more options across the seven-round competition.

Players to watch: Experienced Green Shield campaigner Hamish Reynolds will be a leader for the UTS North Sydney team, operating as an opening bowler and top-order batsman while fast bowler Elijah Stead is tipped to cause difficulty for the opposition batsmen.

Key to success: A confidence team, the key for the team is to start strongly and build momentum as well as fielding well in pressure situations.

Last season finish: 19th place

Squad: Harrison Allomes, Jayden Botfield, Ben Champion, Aden Clark, Jaiveer Singh Dhanoa, Declan Fitzpatrick, Jamieson Hedges, Fergus Hitchen, Everett Ozenham, Aki Rana, Hamish Reynolds, Billy Rogers, Neil Sarkar, Dilraj Singh, Elijah Stead.

Charlie Anderson, a member of the Northern District Cricket Club.

Northern District Cricket Club

Home ground: Mark Taylor Oval, Waitara

Strengths: A high class bowling attack with great pace and spin options, expected to trouble opposition batsmen with their great accuracy and control throughout the campaign.

Players to watch: Captain Cameron Tunks is a classy attacking batsman and will look to have another excellent campaign following on from last season alongside exciting fast bowler Charlie Anderson who offers pace and movement and is a handful for all batsman.

Key to success: Theenergy and quality brought out in the squad’s fielding efforts will be a play a key role in the team’s success.

Last season finish: 3rd place (semi final defeat)

Squad list: Charlie Anderson, Anthony Bartlett, Lachlan Carlyle, John James, Oscar Keyes, Avi Lath, Riley Mackay, Will McFadden, Jack Nati, Jordan Netto, Jaden Sequeira, Abhaypal Singh, Alex Stafa, Krish Thakur, Cameron Tunks (c).

Cameron Tunks, a member of the Northern District Cricket Club 2020/21 Green Shield squad.

Parramatta District Cricket Club

Home ground: Old Kings Oval, Parramatta

Strengths: The balance across the board and depth of talent in the squad which has been selected for all conditions with pace, spin and batting strength throughout.

Players to watch: The dynamic stroke play and off spin of Santhosh Samuel, all-rounder Joel Wright, young led spinner Ryan Gupta and fast bowling captain Isaac Earl.

Key to success: Playing positive cricket by fielding well and navigating through tough situations on the field relatively unscathed.

Last season finish: 8th place (quarterfinal defeat)

Squad list: Isaac Earl (c), Ollie Sheekey, Rory Grieve, Santhosh Samuel, Joel Wright, Ryan Edwards, Lachlan Apps, Akash Arnold, Ryan Gupta, Nitesh Samuel, Dhanvi Vemulapalli, Tyler Smith, Kye Thornley, Selamn Hassan, Haritha Senevirathne.

Penrith District Cricket Club

Home ground: Howell Oval, Penrith

Strengths: A committed training effort leading into the season will put the mix of young talent and five returning players in good position for the seven-round season ahead.

Players to watch: Captain and wicketkeeper batsman Edson Whattam and spinner Reegan Wilson will lead the charge for the western Sydney outfit, joined by country players Jake Scott, of Wagga Wagga, and James Burke, of Newcastle.

Last season finish: 11th place

Squad list: Edson Whattam (c), James Burke, Brock Campbell, Harveer Dhaliwahl, Udey Gill, Ethan Haldane, Leon Hill, James Lennox, Cooper McLean, Isaac Nicholls, Cody Robinson, Jake Scott, Mitchell Shanahan, Josh Watson, Reegan Wilson.

Randwick Petersham Cricket Club

Home ground: Coogee Oval, Coogee

Strengths: A strong returning core of the squad will have the team hopeful of charging up the ladder in season 2020/21.

Max Robinson, captain of the Randwick-Petersham Cricket Club Green Shield squad. Picture: Peter Bannigan.

Players to watch: Captain and number three batsman Max Robinson is tipped to lead the way for the under-16 outfit, supported by fast bowler Will Deller.

Key to success: Executing a simple cricket philosophy of batting every over and bowling a good line at the opposition batsmen.

Last season finish: 10th place

Squad list: Max Robinson (c), Gus Small (vc), Will Deller (vc), Luke Takacs, Milan Lambert, Josh Bird, Charlie Howard, Jack Redhill, Will Dodd, Raghav Malhotra, Sriram Suresh, Mitchell Cope, George Boyd, Adam Coombs, Alan Mathews.

Will Deller, co-vice captain of the Randwick-Petersham Cricket Club Green Shield squad. Picture: Peter Bannigan.

St George District Cricket Club

Home ground: Olds Park, Mortdale

Strengths: The squad’s depth and versatility, featuring a skilful and varied bowling attack as well as a deep, versatile batting order will see the return of the club to the Green Shield finals for the 10th time in 11 seasons.

Randwick-Petersham Cricket Club co-vice captain Gus Small in action.

Players to watch: Captain and off spinner Rafael Macmillian known as the ‘king of deception’ can rip huge revolutions onto his ball; all-rounder Blake Faunce, from the ACT, has a great technique and cricket smarts to go with his leg spin bowling; in-form opening batsman Alex Parthenis; aggressive power hitter Billy Arena; aggressive pace bowler Victor Strange; and gloveman Thomas Porter.

Keys to success: The team will need to bring an unmatched intensity to the field and take the game on with their batting and running between the wickets.

Last season finish: 2nd (grand final defeat)

Squad list: Matthew Adam, Edward Anderson, Billy Arena, Shuvayu Banerjee, James Brown, Blake Faunce, Thomas Forrester, Rafael MacMillan (c), Alexander Parthenis, Tomas Phelps, Thomas Porter, Taran Shah, Ethan Simpson, Victor Strange, Krish Surana.

Sutherland District Cricket Club

Home ground: Sutherland Oval, Sutherland

Last season finish: 18th place

Squad list: Jared Ball, Lyndon Coward, Luke Cutcliffe, Alec Dobson, Samuel Fitzgibbon, Ashton Frazer, Kobey Freer, Lachlan James, Sam Niumataiwalu, Lachlan Ritchie, Aiden Ryder, Saul Spyrides, Jake St John, Tom Straker & Eden Winney. Development players: Josh Cameron, Lachlan Clark, Cooper Jones, Koby Lillis, Max McCarron & Thomas Sheehy.

Sydney University Cricket Club

Home ground: University Oval, Sydney University

Strengths: A core group of genuine fast bowlers will have the team in the mix in all fixtures with opposition batsmen to be wary.

Keys to success: Consistency across all aspects of the game will be critical to the team’s prospects.

Last season finish: 20th

Squad list: Alexander Sylow, Aryan Rodrigues, Carter Margetson, Raphael Giles, Darcy Manners, Jack Manson-Lill, Luke Johns, Malay Doshi, Shivham Wadhera, Tushar Sharma, Willoughby Watson, Xavier Nath, Jack Stokes, Mason Ballard, James Chan.

Sam Borg, a member of the Western Suburbs Cricket Club 2020/21 Green Shield squad.

Ben Brooks, a member of the Western Suburbs Cricket Club 2020/21 Green Shield squad.

University of NSW Cricket Club

Home ground: David Phillips North, Kensington

Strengths: A strong contingent of returning players to the Green Shield, reinforced with two of last season’s top performing batsman, has placed the squad in a strong position for a strong performance.

Players to watch: Top four batsman and first-change bowler Nick Everitt, opening batsman Joey Gillard and wicketkeeper batsman Bailey Creer.

Keys to success: A strong level of composure out on the field and executing the game plan and processes will be vital to success.

Last season finish: 13th

Squad list: Nick Everitt (c), Joey Gillard (vc), Hwi Sharples, Vibhu Kathhikeyan, Hirav Ghandi, Bailey Creer, F. Zhang-Langley, William Walker, Hayden McCarthy, Max Nathan, Will Cameron, Ben Coates-Grayson, O. Sissian Turnbull, Nirav Prason, Angus Hughes. Development players: Jamie Pavey, Sartak Pundir, Nicholas Allen, Rohith Penugodu, Manav Rindani.

Sydney Cricket Club

Home ground: Drummoyne Oval, Drummoyne

Strengths: A strong foundation on the core principles of cricket with a balanced squad chalking up strong results in recent school and club fixtures.

Keys to success: Having fun on the field will see the team execute to their potential and place themselves in the best position for success.

Last season finish: 15th

Squad list: Jeff Badrous, Vansh Bhatia, Srisatwik Bhogadi, Asmit Bishwakarma, Cooper Edwards, Hayden Forner, Archie Gowthorp, Joseph Hancock, Aredith Jenarth, Jack Kent, James Moore, Jack Roberts, Addison Sherriff, Harley Wilson.

Ritish Sethi, a member of the Western Suburbs Cricket Club 2020/21 Green Shield squad.

James Cisternas, a member of the Western Suburbs Cricket Club 2020/21 Green Shield squad

Western Suburbs District Cricket Club

Home ground: Pratten Park, Ashfield

Strengths: An incredible batting depth with genuine batsmen buried as low as ninth in the order will see the team have the freedom to play their shots and post big totals. Boasting five capable spinners, the bowling unit will look to attack from ball one and bowl in partnerships.

Players to watch: Ethan Anderson, an exciting young wicketkeeper already identified by Cricket NSW; opening bowler James Cisternas who can move the ball; elegant top order batsman Raunak Roy with a classy technique; and dangerous batsman Ritish Sethi.

Ethan Anderson, a member of the Western Suburbs Cricket Club 2020/21 Green Shield squad

Last season finish: 16th

Squad list: Dewashish ‘Dev’Adhikari, Ethan Anderson, Samuel Borge, Ben Brooks, James Cisternas, Archer Gray, Damien Guild, Zariyat Hasan, Sohum Mogale, Liam Penwill, Raunak Roy, Tharun Sai, Tyler Searle, Ritish Sethi, Thomas Thorpe.